Wichita eagle., 1887-08-05
ALL IS "MANANA.'
SOMETHING ABOUT THE PEOPLE
OF NEW GRENADA.

Young Ladies Adorned With Living jew
els-Table and Ball Room Etiquette-A
Very Queer Custom in Regard to Do
mestic Affairs.
The government at Bogota extends in
ducements to citizens of the United States to
make the country their home. Grants of
good land are offered for their acceptance,
provided there is an intention to settle per-
manently. But for climatic influences New
Grenada would be one of the most desirable
places for an emigrant in the west
ern world. But the people are with
out energy, enterprise or public spirit, be-
cause nature provides beautifully for al
most every want. Everything is manana
tomorrow. Their Indebtedness to England
alone is more than $40, DOC, 900. and there is
not the least prospect Of its payment. Since
the emancipation Of their slaves, in 1852,
labor cannot be controlled. The form of
government is nearly like that Of the United
States, only more democratic. The church
has lost its old time power. A three months
stay at Carthagena, awaiting an opportunity
to obtain a native boat of about fifty tons,
with sufficient crew, gave one time to study
the language, manners and customs. The
Spanish language and Roman Catholic relig-
lon are universal. Among the better class
were some accomplished pianists and singers.
The troubadours, with their mandolins, could
be heard every evening. and during the later
hours of the night the "Ave Maria" Of some
belated lover would sound out of the quiet
ness. The people are not rich, and some are
obliged to resort to expedients to keep up ap-
pearances.
LIVING JEWELS.
All the old families have more or less SER
wants, their former slaves or their descend
ants, to whom no wages are paid and who
live in the lowest story Of the house and pro-
vide for themselves In same mysterious way.
The young ladies make UP dulces or sweet
meats, which are taken out on travs by the
servants and sold. The money obtained in
this way is faithfully handed to the senorita
of the house, who purchases the delicate IA
brio and pretty ribbons for the new dress, as
she dare not make her appearance in the one
previously worn. How lovely these dresses
are ornamented at night with the cacullos
(koo-kooyas), the large and brilliant FREELY of
the jungles of the interior. When the cacullo
Is lively it Is the most beautiful of jewels in
effect These fire beetles are about the size
of the large Goldsmith" beetle of the eastern
states, but should not DO COMPOUNDED with
the Brazilian beetle, that is frequently
seen incased in gold. n the evening,
just before dark. there is very short twi
light in the tropics. A coal Of fire is waved
at the edge of the jungle where the cacullo
lives. The beetles flock to the light and are
easily knocked down into the grass, from
whence they are picked up and put into q
joint of sugar cane, where they get fat and
lively and are ready for use when wanted.
The effect produced by trimming null
dress with cacullos, which emit a strong and
uniform light of an eridescent greenish char
acter, is very stricking. Young ladies also
attach two OF more cacullos to the knot of
hair at the back of the head After the ball
these jewels are carefully reimprisoned in the
sugar cane until wanted again.